Tony Luis to battle in a WBC title fight in Cornwall on June 21

Cornwall pro boxer Tony Luis, in the main event of a WBC Continental Americas title fight, to be held in Cornwall on June 21. Handout/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network
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There’ll be two title fights at the civic complex on June 21, and hometown boxer Tony Luis will battle in one of them.

The lightweight division contender will be in for one of the toughest tests of his long pro career, taking on Mexican knockout artist Adrian Estrella in the main event, the WBC Continental Americas championship.

And, Will Madera, out of Albany, N.Y., will battle another rugged Mexican, Christian Uruzquieta, for the WBC International Silver lightweight crown.

“Two title fights in one night – it’s never happened before in Cornwall,” Denis Benoit said Thursday afternoon when some of the details of the card were announced.

Benoit, who’s from Cornwall, is CEO of Liveco Boxing, and promoter of both Luis and Madera.

“As a fight fan first, I can’t wait for this event,” he said. “On paper, both matchups are very intriguing, and both fights promise to be all-out wars. . .to be the best, you need to beat the best, and I’m confident that Luis and Madera will do what they need to do to get the win.”

For Luis, it’s a must-win bout if he’s to get that coveted shot at a world title. But Estrella has world title hopes too, and it’s being considered a collision between two premier, battle-tested 135-pounders.

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Luis (27-2, 10 KOs) is currently the top-ranked lightweight in Canada, and he’ll put an eight-fight win streak on the line against an opponent who’s 29-3 with 24 KO’s.

“He’s younger, he has more wins and he has more knockouts than me – he’s a champion for a reason,” Luis said in a release issued by Liveco Boxing.

“On paper he’s supposed to win. . . unfortunately for him, I’m not going to let that happen. I believe I’m the best lightweight in the world and on June 21, I plan to take his title in devastating fashion.”

Benoit said when Luis surprised Karl Dargan four years ago, “it led immediately to a shot at a world title (in England),” and that that’s what could be on the line once again for the Cornwall fighter.

But first things first, and beating Estrella is a must. Estrella won the WBC Continental Americas belt in early February over highly-regarded Oscar Duarte (15-0-1).

Estrella, 27, out of Monterrey, Mexico, knocked out the first 18 opponents he faced in a career that goes back to 2010.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I’m ready to fight Luis,” Estrella said. “I’m coming off a big win in California against an undefeated boxer who nobody thought I would beat, but I did. . . I’m in great shape, and the people of Cornwall are going to be shocked when they see what I do to Luis.

“For my first fight in Canada, I plan to come back home to Texas with the win, my title, and feeling grateful for the hospitality of the Canadian people.”

In that other title bout, Madera comes in with a 14-0-2, 7 KOs record, while Uruzquieta is 18-4-1 with 6 KOs.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m., and they can be purchased at www.ticketpro.ca, by phone at (888) 655-9090, or in person at the civic complex box office.